Jokić Ascends to No. 2: A Historic Night in Chicago

CHICAGO – The history books were rewritten on Saturday night at the United Center as Nikola Jokić led the Denver Nuggets to a 136–120 victory over the Chicago Bulls. In a performance that has become his trademark, the three-time MVP recorded 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 17 assists, officially surpassing “The Big O,” Oscar Robertson, for the second-most triple-doubles in NBA history.

Surpassing a Legend

With his 182nd career triple-double, Jokić now stands alone in the second spot, trailing only Russell Westbrook (207) on the all-time list. The milestone is a testament to the Serbian center’s unprecedented versatility, particularly his 17 assists—a figure rarely seen from the center position.

“He is a global legend,” Jokić said of Robertson following the game. “Any player who steps into this league knows what he did for the game. To be mentioned next to him is an honor.”

The Game Breakdown

Despite the historic individual achievement, the win was a much-needed collective effort for Denver, which snapped a three-game losing streak.

• The Turning Point: Chicago led 104–97 at the end of the third quarter, but Denver responded with a devastating 20–2 run to start the final period.

• Jokić’s Efficiency: He shot an efficient 7-of-12 from the field and was perfect from both the free-throw line (6-for-6) and the three-point arc (2-for-2).

• Supporting Cast: Jamal Murray led all scorers with 28 points, while veteran Tim Hardaway Jr. contributed 23 points off the bench.

The Road to No. 1

At just 30 years old (turning 31 later this month), Jokić is on a trajectory to potentially challenge Westbrook for the top spot. He has already recorded 19 triple-doubles this season through 53 games, putting him on pace to reach the 200-mark by early 2027.

Player	Career Triple-Doubles	Status
1. Russell Westbrook	207	Active
2. Nikola Jokić	182	Active
3. Oscar Robertson	181	Retired
4. Magic Johnson	138	Retired

The Nuggets (34–19) now return to Denver to host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night.